Nov 04, 2023
LEXINGTON, Va. - Three first quarter scores proved to be the deciding factor in the Washington and Lee University football team's 31-21 win over Bridgewater College on Saturday afternoon at Wilson Field.
With the win, the Generals claim sole possession of second place in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC), making them eligible to host one of the Chesapeake Bay Challenge Bowl games on Nov. 18.
Prior to kickoff, the Generals honored Giorgio Antonacci, Andrew Arnold, Chris Commander, Hunter Hawk, Johny McGrath, Isaiah Mefford, Stephen Murrin, Peyton Pack, Cameron Reed, and Nathan Unger. Together, this group has led the Generals to a 20-10 overall record and a 13-6 mark in the ODAC over their four seasons while claiming an ODAC Championship in 2021.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter | 17-0 W&L
- On 2nd and 11 of the Generals opening drive, Stephen Murrin connected with Dryden Duggins for a 21-yard gain to put the Blue and White in enemy territory. Anthony Crawford capped off the nine-play, 73-yard scoring drive with a four-yard rushing touchdown.
- After the W&L defense forced a punt, the Generals moved the ball into Bridgewater's side of the field after Murrin found Evan Novak all alone for a 32-yard gain. After a fumble, which was recovered by Murrin, forced them back to the 28-yard line, Arturo Ramirez knocked down a 44-yard field goal to give W&L a 10-0 lead.
- Bridgewater's offense couldn't get anything going as the stubborn defensive unit forced a three and out on their next drive.
- Romero put the Generals back in the red zone as he took the handoff around the left side and sprinted 56-yards down to the Eagles four-yard line. His big run setup Crawford for a four yard scamper to put the Generals up 17-0.
Second Quarter | 24-7 W&L
- The Eagles marched 62-yards on ten plays to get their first points on the board, Kennedy Fauntleroy walked into the end zone from one-yard out to cut the deficit to ten.
- After back-to-back three and outs from both teams, Washington and Lee used a six minute drive to take a 24-7 lead. Giorgio Antonacci punched it in from one yard out to give the Generals a 17 point lead with 2:24 minutes left in the half.
- On 4th and 4, Mac Palmer flew off the edge, forcing an incomplete pass to shut down the Eagles final drive of the half.
Third Quarter | 31-7 W&L
- The Blue and White defense kept the pressure on in the second half. On 3rd and 6, Will Mahmud jarred the ball loose from Jaylen Wood, pushing the Eagles back to their own 15-yard line for a punt.
- The Generals ensuing drive resulted in another six points as Murrin found Marcus Payne for a 25-yard passing touchdown to give W&L a 31-7 lead.
- Hunter Hawk slipped through the Eagles offensive line and sacked Jaylen Wood for an eight yard loss which forced Bridgewater to punt.
Fourth Quarter | 31-21 W&L
- The Eagles defense shut down the Generals first drive of the fourth quarter and used the turnover on downs to their advantage. Malcolm Anderson capped off the ten-play, 70-yard drive with a two yard rushing touchdown. The Eagles elected to go for two following the score and were successful, bringing the score to 31-15.
- The Generals next drive only lasted two plays as Crawford took a hand off up the middle but Shawn Harris jarred the ball loose and Aaron Nice dove on it for their second turnover of the day.
- The Blue and White defense shut down another Eagles drive but the Generals next drive ended in misfortune once again as Murrin lost control of the ball and TJ Lowery dove on it at the W&L 33 yard line.
- Montez Green went up and over Isaiah Mefford to haul in a 29-yard touchdown pass but an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty forced the Eagles to attempt a two point conversion from the 18 yard line. Their two point try failed and after Marcus Payne received the ensuing onside kick, the Generals walked away with a 31-21 win.
W&L GAME NOTES
- The Generals move to 7-2 on the season and 5-1 in ODAC play while notching their 31st win over the Eagles.
- The Washington and Lee offense generated 459 yards of total offesne, producing 268 yards on the ground while throwing for a season-high 191 yards.
- On 61 rushing attempts, the Generals averaged 4.4 yards per carry while scoring three times on the ground. The Blue and White scored once in the air while averaging 23.9 yards per completion.
- The offense dominated time of possession, holding onto the ball for 34 minutes. They were 7 of 12 (58%) on 3rd down against the top 3rd down defense in the ODAC while converting one of their two 4th down attempts. W&L punched it in on four of their five trips to the red zone.
- The Generals defense was firing on all cylinders, holding the Eagles high-powered rushing attack, who averaged 212.9 yards per game, to 119 yards. The defensive unit got home four times, their fourth time this season with four or more sacks in a game.
BRIDGEWATER GAME NOTES
- The Eagles fell to 6-3 and 4-2 in conference play.
- Bridgewater generated 119 yards on the ground while throwing for 183, for a total of 302 yards of total offense. They ran 63 plays and averaged 4.8 yards per play.
- The Eagles possessed the ball for 26 minutes while converting 5 of their 15 (33%) third down conversions while going 2 of 5 (40%) on fourth down.
- BC punched it in on two of three trips to the redzone.
TOP PERFORMERS
- Stephen Murrin completed eight of his 11 passes for a career-high 191 yards and a touchdown. He averaged 23.9 yards per completion. Malcolm Anderson was five of ten for 101 yards and a touchdown.
- Jacob Romero rushed 24 times for a career-high 139 yards, he averaged 5.8 yards per rush while having a long of 56 yards. Bridgewater's Kennedy Fauntleroy rushed 22 times for 136 yards and a touchdown, averaging 6.2 yards per carry.
- Marcus Payne caught two passes for 44 yards while hauling in a 25-yard touchdown. Montez Green of Bridgewater caught seven passes for 52 yards and a touchdown.
- Hunter Hawk led the Generals with ten total tackles, four solo and six assisted, while recording a career-high 1.5 sacks. Bridgewater's Aaron Moore recorded a game-high 16 tackles, five solo and 11 assisted.
- Arturo Ramirez showed off his leg, booting a 44-yard field goal in the first quarter.
UP NEXT
- The Generals are on the road for the final game of the regular season as they head north on I-81 to Winchester, Va. for a 1 p.m. matchup with the Hornets of Shenandoah University on Saturday, Nov. 11.
Nestled in the mountains of Virginia, Washington and Lee University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Founded in 1749, W&L is the ninth-oldest college in the United States and a top-ranked liberal arts university. With over 500 student-athletes in 24 varsity sports, the Generals have celebrated over 265 conference championships. Learn more about the Blue and White by visiting www.generalssports.com or on social media at @WLUGenerals.